BoxRec

OK, once and for all, here's the story: Benitez wins a split over Cervantes for the title in March of '76, the WBA orders a rematch for August of '76, whether it was a rematch clause, a deserving shot for a long-serving champ or just political, I don't know but it was ordered for August of '76. Benitez defends his title against an easy opponent in May, then pleads to the WBA that he can't make the August date because he got into a car accident and needs a little more time. The WBA agrees, but then Benitez signs to fight Tony Petronelli in October. The WBA orders a December rematch with Cervantes and Benitez again ignores the edict. The WBA strips Benitez for failure to defend against their top man and matches Cervantes against Carlos Gimenez for the vacant title in June of '77. Was it how Benitez couldn't make the weight? Hell no! Benitez went on defending some NY version of the title 2 months after Cervantes-Gimenez against Ray Chavez, a man Cervantes blew away in 2 rounds 2 years earlier. Cervantes gave Alfonso Frazer a rematch, he had the balls to give Nicolino Loche a rematch, he gave Nani Marrero and Miguel Montilla a rematch, solely because they gave him good fights in prior fights and he always did better in rematches. Don't ask me to cry for Benitez because he didn't get his rematch with Leonard, Cervantes was far more deserving of his rematch and didn't get one.

Scartissue

Clear, concise, accurate and to the point. Cervantes was always the willing warrior. Benitez was great but this could certainly be an indicator that he was willing to be managed away from some degree of risk. Not a foul but not what I like to see when I rate the very best of the best.

Well perhaps we should give Wilfredo some leeway and remember that he was still a teenager during this time.... looking through his career Benitez fought a whos who of the top fighters of his era... including Leonard, Hearns and Duran... hardly the diet of a boxer looking for an easy ride imo... 8) ...his win over Duran is one of the best displays of boxing I have seen..

Benitez gave Bruce Curry an immediate rematch in early '78 after, IMO, losing their first match having been knocked down 3 times in rds 5 & 6. I mentioned this fight in a previous thread with no response from anyone - apparently Benitez was due to fight Duran but Duran pulled out due to flu (?)
I also asked if anyone has the Curry v Monroe Brooks fight from 1978 which is supposedly a very good fight. If they do and want to do a trade please, PLEASE give me a PM. :P

silkov wrote:Well perhaps we should give Wilfredo some leeway and remember that he was still a teenager during this time.... looking through his career Benitez fought a whos who of the top fighters of his era... including Leonard, Hearns and Duran... hardly the diet of a boxer looking for an easy ride imo... 8) ...his win over Duran is one of the best displays of boxing I have seen..

Want to give Benitez a pass for his tender years at that time? Works for me. But the rematch would have been very interesting, and Cervantes was never bitter so why should anyone else be. Antonio wanted the belt back, then he did what was needed to get the job done and never complained.

BoxBuzz wrote:

silkov wrote:Well perhaps we should give Wilfredo some leeway and remember that he was still a teenager during this time.... looking through his career Benitez fought a whos who of the top fighters of his era... including Leonard, Hearns and Duran... hardly the diet of a boxer looking for an easy ride imo... 8) ...his win over Duran is one of the best displays of boxing I have seen..

Want to give Benitez a pass for his tender years at that time? Works for me. But the rematch would have been very interesting, and Cervantes was never bitter so why should anyone else be. Antonio wanted the belt back, then he did what was needed to get the job done and never complained.

Benitez didn't act on his own. Someone was pulling the strings for him and that person knew that Benitez does better not risk a refight on neutral ground against Kid Pambele.

Well its simular to the Duran vs Buchanan situation... why didnt Ken get a rematch, ...sure the chances are he would have lost, but he still would have been a tough fight for Roberto and one which his people saw fit not to chase...

But why is the question?.

It's not as if Cervantes gave Benitez a tough fight-he was thoroughly outclassed in almost every facet of the game.

Having, said that, it isn't ahrd to imagine Benitez not being interested in rematches as he was hardly the most dedicated or competitive of fighters.

el tigre del sur wrote:Benitez gave Bruce Curry an immediate rematch in early '78 after, IMO, losing their first match having been knocked down 3 times in rds 5 & 6. I mentioned this fight in a previous thread with no response from anyone - apparently Benitez was due to fight Duran but Duran pulled out due to flu (?)
I also asked if anyone has the Curry v Monroe Brooks fight from 1978 which is supposedly a very good fight. If they do and want to do a trade please, PLEASE give me a PM. :P

I have both the Benitez vs Curry fights... hard to belive Bruce had only 15 pro fights under his belt then, he looked a better boxer at that point than his brother. I've always admired how Benitez survived that fight but he didnt deserve the decision I think. Great fight though. As for the Brooks fight I have that too... awesome brawl and its often said that Bruce was never the same fighter after that bout... certainly the Bruce Curry that won the title from Leroy Hayley was a diminished version of the boxer that fought Benitez...